what sort of government uses water cannon on protestors?

Really2

Funny how most look too old to be at uni


Anyone would think that it was people doing this to stir up trouble.

lostinrates

drc wrote: »

It's water for god's sake. What are they supposed to use, tea and scones?

Actually, perhaps, as this is also being confused with class war, it should be possible to middle class them away with an afternoon tea.....

lostinrates

Really2 wrote: »

Funny how most look too old to be at uni
Anyone would think that it was people doing this to stir up trouble.

see...I disagree. My siblings in law, one older and one younger than I are both still students. That they are also lecturers is neither here nor there.

There are, and should be, students of all ages on undergrad courses.

edit: I actually have trouble giving an ideal age for any of those. You think too old to be student, which I can accept if we also agree too old to throw a violent tantrum in the street.

eamon

Going back to the OP. The state has in the recent past used water cannon, tear gas, plastic/rubber bullets and live ammunition against its citizens (or subjects).

If there is a valid point to the current student demos then "peaceful protest" is usually a pointless activity. Nobody away from the "peaceful" demonstration cares and if it fails to make the news media then the protest is doomed. Peaceful protests don't as a rule change the status quo, history tells us that. Saying that though most violent protests also fail as they quickly lose momentum, direction, focus and the state can bring out its big guns.

olly300

drc wrote: »

It's water for god's sake. What are they supposed to use, tea and scones?

I know it's winter but water cannon is preferred to rubber or real bullets. At least running and getting on the tube will keep you warm............

Plus the Met Police won't dare use water cannon because:
1. Thanks to BBC news the pictures will go world wide
2. The Met Police Chief will be put in front of a parliamentary committee to explain why he used water cannon on children under 16 and be forced to resign.

ninky_2

Graham_Devon wrote: »

Honestly, can you answer this? Why should those people (not the protestors, and please don't pretend they are all mingled, they are not, sensible people move away from trouble, they don't stand amongst it) not receive a water cannon? Why should they not have riot police charge them? Why should they not receive the force of the law when they are simply out to cause damage?

because water cannon is not a suitable way of dealing with antisocial behaviour. it is indiscriminate and carries a high risk of injury to those not involved. i have been charged by riot police as a 15 year old teenage girl having also been kettled on the poll tax protests and i have never been violent on a protest. did i deserve that? was it necessary to charge a slightly built female with police on horses and in riot gear?

i believe football matches have a history of violence among supporters. does that mean everyone who goes to a football match deserves to be injured or hosed with water cannon if scuffles break out? did the hillsborough victims deserve their fate? again their was a problem with crowd control and police managing the situation. i'm not blaming individual officers on the ground but rather the management of the situation. they should be their to serve us and put the safety of the public first. protecting property is far less important.

Graham_Devon

eamon wrote: »

Going back to the OP. The state has in the recent past used water cannon, tear gas, plastic/rubber bullets and live ammunition against its citizens (or subjects).

If there is a valid point to the current student demos then "peaceful protest" is usually a pointless activity. Nobody away from the "peaceful" demonstration cares and if it fails to make the news media then the protest is doomed. Peaceful protests don't as a rule change the status quo, history tells us that. Saying that though most violent protests also fail as they quickly lose momentum, direction, focus and the state can bring out its big guns.

Don't disruption protests have the biggest impact?

Really2

lostinrates wrote: »

see...I disagree. My siblings in law, one older and one younger than I are both still students. That they are also lecturers is neither here nor there.

There are, and should be, students of all ages on undergrad courses.

edit: I actually have trouble giving an ideal age for any of those. You think too old to be student, which I can accept if we also agree too old to throw a violent tantrum in the street.

I am aware some students will be older but the vast majority would be 18-22. (some there I would say are 30+)
You would expect that would also be reflection those that rioted if they were all students.

I think their is a fair chance most that riot are not there for the cause, the same is with most riots.
Protests are a organised fighters (yobs) dream.

Graham_Devon

ninky wrote: »

because water cannon is not a suitable way of dealing with antisocial behaviour. it is indiscriminate and carries a high risk of injury to those not involved. i have been charged by riot police as a 15 year old teenage girl having also been kettled on the poll tax protests and i have never been violent on a protest. did i deserve that? was it necessary to charge a slightly built female with police on horses and in riot gear?

They didn't charge YOU though did they.

You were part of a crowd they charged.

You were at a protest. You presumably knew this was a volitile situation to be in?

Really2

ninky wrote: »

i have been charged by riot police as a 15 year old teenage girl having also been kettled on the poll tax protests and i have never been violent on a protest. did i deserve that? was it necessary to charge a slightly built female with police on horses and in riot gear?

Did you think the poll tax demonstrations was a place for a 15 year old girl?
Early 90's high unemployment and a country with football rioting issues?

It was the rioters putting you at risk not the police, it is a shame you can't see that.
The problem here is you are asking the police to spot you when they are being bottled, beaten and petrol bombed.

Anyone going such an event has to take some responsibility for their own safety, keeping out of the front line is one of them.